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Zipper Blog

Run, market, and grow your studio.

Strategy, operations, and marketing playbooks for fitness and wellness studios — plus product updates from the Zipper team.

5 Ways to Streamline Waivers and Contracts at Your Studio

Paper waivers stuffed in filing cabinets. Contracts emailed back and forth. New clients filling out the same information three times before they can take their first class.

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6 Ways to Make Family Sign-ups Easier at Your Studio

Family clients are the best kind of clients. A parent signs up for yoga. Their teenager joins martial arts. The whole family shows up for Saturday morning fitness. One household, three revenue stre...

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7 Netgym Alternatives for Managing Instructor Substitutions at Your Studio

Every studio owner knows the feeling. It's 6 AM, you're drinking your first coffee, and your phone buzzes. Your 7 AM yoga instructor is sick. Now you have 45 minutes to find a sub, notify clients, ...

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7 Tips for Running Hybrid Classes Without the Chaos

Hybrid classes seemed like a great idea. Reach clients who can't make it in person. Grow your audience beyond your neighborhood. Keep revenue flowing when people travel or work from home.

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9 Ways to Build an Automated Front Desk at Your Studio

You didn't open a yoga studio to spend three hours a day answering the same questions, sending reminder texts, and chasing down late payments. But somewhere along the way, that's what happened.

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9 Ways to Fill More Class Spots Without Spending More on Ads (For Boutique Studios)

Meta description: Fill more class spots without ads using waitlists, reminders, SMS/email, reviews, and SEO - plus simple “how to” steps in Zipper to set it up fast.

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10 Mindbody Alternatives (And How to Pick the Right One)

Mindbody alternatives, Mindbody competitors, best Mindbody alternative

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March 6th, 2026 Product Updates at Zipper

Improved customer app, multi-day events, AI schedule creation, sub management, in-app purchasing, kiosk, and more — what's new in Zipper this month.

  • product-updates
  • feature-release
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New Zipper Features (Jan 26, 2026)

Improved gift card management, communities, lead management, forms UX, and Stripe terminal payments — all shipped in this Zipper release.

  • product-updates
  • feature-release
  • gift-cards
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New Features (1/18/26): Pass-through Processing Fees, Automations & Sales Funnels

New feature releases Jan 18, 2026, include improved automations and lead funnels, and easy processing fee pass-throughs.

  • product-updates
  • feature-release
  • automations
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How to Book Duet Appointments: Semi-Private Scheduling for Pilates & Fitness Studios

How Zipper handles duets, trios, and other semi-private appointments — self-service booking, shareable links, and revenue tracking that legacy platforms can't match.

  • studios
  • scheduling
  • pilates
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5 Learnings from The Pilates Journal Expo 2026

Five takeaways from The Pilates Journal Expo 2026 — hybrid revenue, unit economics, untapped ad channels, employee-first staffing, and niche specialization.

  • pilates
  • industry-insights
  • studio-management
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Product Update: Improved family and guest booking management, virtual class support, instructor sub management

Intro offers, virtual classes, instructor sub management, family & guest booking, scrolling carousel, and account credits — everything new in Zipper this release.

  • product-updates
  • feature-release
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6 Critical Factors to Consider When Choosing Studio Management Software

Six things every fitness and wellness studio owner should evaluate before signing — contracts, booking, support, automations, payments, and vendor health.

  • studio-management
  • software-buying
  • business-strategy
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New Feature: AI-Powered Support Agent

Answer questions and convert leads 24/7 with Zipper's AI-powered Website Support Agent. Try for free today.

  • product-updates
  • ai
  • feature-release
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December Feature Release

See what's new with Zipper as of December 2025, including improved dashboards, accounts receivable, SMS marketing, and more.

  • product-updates
  • feature-release
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Why Google Reviews Are Critical for Your Fitness Studio's Success

Own or operate a fitness or wellness business? If you're looking to rank higher on Google, you should prioritize more 5-star Google Reviews. Here's why:

  • reviews
  • marketing
  • seo
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How to Switch from Mindbody in 24 Hours

Looking to move off Mindbody to a new platform? This guide shows how to migrate quickly and hassle-free — with less than 40 minutes of your time.

  • migration
  • mindbody
  • studios
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How to Actually Fill Your Classes (Without Burning Out)

Proven strategies fitness and wellness studios use to fill more class slots — schedule optimization, waitlists, reminders, off-peak incentives, and reducing no-shows.

  • studios
  • operations
  • scheduling
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Feature Updates Sep 28

Here are some feature updates from our September release, including POS, improved reporting and more.

  • product-updates
  • feature-release
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Fitness Studio Waiver Template (Free Example + Lawyer Approved)

Use our free, lawyer reviewed and approved studio waiver for yoga, Pilates, and any other fitness or wellness business.

  • waivers
  • legal
  • studios
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Free Sports Business Waiver Template: Liability Protection for Athletic Programs & Facilities

If you own or operate a sports facility, get a free waiver template to protect your business.

  • waivers
  • legal
  • sports
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Gym Waiver Template (Free Example + Lawyer Approved)

Get a free gym liability waiver that's been approved by our legal team. Protect your gym from potential legal fees with this attorney-reviewed template.

  • waivers
  • legal
  • gyms
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10 Mindbody Alternatives

Compare 10 Mindbody alternatives for studio and gym management — Zipper, WellnessLiving, GloFox, Momence, Vagaro, Acuity, Wix, Mariana Tek, Punchpass, GymDesk.

  • mindbody
  • alternatives
  • studio-management
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Zipper vs. 97Display (97Display Alternative)

This article outlines an alternative to 97Display for website and marketing for martial arts and fitness businesses.

  • 97display
  • alternatives
  • fitness-marketing
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Zipper vs. MarketMuscles (MarketMuscles Alternative)

Compare Zipper and MarketMuscles for fitness and martial arts marketing. See platform, SEO, lead gen, and pricing differences before you switch.

  • marketmuscles
  • alternatives
  • fitness-marketing
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The 23 Best Gym Website Designs in 2024 (Updated for 2025)

23 standout gym website designs to inspire your next redesign — premium branding, video, social proof, mobile-first layouts, FAQs, and SEO patterns that convert.

  • design
  • marketing
  • gyms
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Dance Studio Ideas Design: The Ultimate Guide to Creating Your Dream Space

Explore essential dance studio design ideas — proper sprung flooring, smart layouts, branding, lighting, and budget-friendly tips to inspire dancers.

  • dance-studios
  • studio-design
  • studio-management
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Episode 8: Turning a 5-Year Plan Into 5-Month Success

Discover how Dr. Trevor Anderson built a 24,000 sq ft wellness empire from scratch. Learn key strategies for healthcare entrepreneurship, community engagement, and business growth in this insightful interview.

  • podcast
  • entrepreneurship
  • case-study
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Owning a Gym: Expectations vs. Reality

Understand the realities of gym ownership — competition, long hours, marketing, equipment costs, and staff management — with actionable tips from industry experts.

  • gym-ownership
  • business-management
  • fitness-industry
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Pumping Iron and Profits: Your Comprehensive Guide to Starting a Gym

From business plan and financing to location, equipment, staffing, and digital marketing — the complete step-by-step guide to opening a profitable gym.

  • gym
  • business
  • guide
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Zipper and UESCA Partnership

Zipper and United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy partner to help more endurance coaches succeed with software, marketing tools, and exclusive certification benefits.

  • partnerships
  • endurance-coaching
  • announcements
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Zipper Podcast Episode 9: How Client Connections Grew a Business

Cara Schroter, founder of CS Fit Pilates, shares how community-focused practices grew her into three Pilates studios across northern New Jersey.

  • podcast
  • pilates
  • studio-management
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10 Effective Marketing Strategies for Yoga Studios

Discover ten proven marketing strategies for yoga studios — from defining your unique value proposition to email marketing and community events.

  • yoga
  • marketing
  • studio-management
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How Much Does it Cost to Start a Gym?

A complete breakdown of gym startup costs in 2024 — lease, equipment, permits, build-out, marketing, staffing, and ongoing operating expenses for small, medium, and large facilities.

  • gyms
  • business
  • startup
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Podcast Episode 7: Leadership, Branding, and Certifications for Gym Owners

Brian Oberther, Co-founder of Infinity Athletics in Ithaca, NY, shares his story to starting his multi-location gym business, his take on leadership, and the best certifications for gym owners.

  • podcast
  • leadership
  • branding
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Protect your Coaching Business with an Athlete Waiver [Plus a Free Draft Template]

Why every private sports coach needs an athlete waiver — and a free customizable template you can adapt for your training business.

  • waivers
  • legal
  • coaching
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Protecting Your Coaching Business: A Guide to Business Insurance

Why coaching businesses need insurance — a guide to liability, property, cyber, and workers' comp coverage that keeps your practice protected.

  • insurance
  • legal
  • coaching
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The Ultimate Guide to Martial Arts Marketing: 15 Ideas to Attract More Students

Grow your martial arts school with proven marketing ideas — online presence, social media, trial classes, events, partnerships, content, referrals, and more.

  • marketing
  • martial-arts
  • student-acquisition
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Top 10 Lead Generation Ideas for Gyms

Ten proven lead generation ideas for gyms — from free trials and referral programs to local SEO, fitness challenges, partnerships, and content marketing.

  • marketing
  • lead-generation
  • gyms
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Zipper Podcast Episode 2: Altitude Endurance Coaching: Tips for Success in Ultra Running Coaching

Brian Passenti, Owner at Altitude Endurance Coaching, specializing in ultra marathon coaching, shares his story and tips starting a run coaching business.

  • podcast
  • coaching
  • ultra-running
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Zipper Podcast Episode 4: The Importance of Failure and Community ft. Co-Founder of The Track Club, Evan Schwartz

Evan Schwartz, co-founder of The Track Club and Professional Running Coach, shares his story to becoming a full-time running coach and lessons learned.

  • podcast
  • coaching
  • running
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Zipper Podcast Episode 5: Learnings from My Gym's 1-Year Anniversary

Nick Countryman, Owner of Joint Flow, shares his story of becoming a fitness entrepreneur and lessons learned from his first year.

  • podcast
  • gym ownership
  • fitness entrepreneurship
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Zipper Podcast Episode 6: Lessons from 30 Years as a Fitness Entrepreneur

Jason Busch, owner of Body Balance Strength and Wellness in Boulder, CO, shares 30 years of fitness entrepreneurship lessons on partnerships, cash flow, and community.

  • podcast
  • entrepreneurship
  • gym-management
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Zipper Product Update — 6/12/24

June 2024 Zipper release: Website Builder 2.0, customizable login, lead management, lead journeys, automations, media library, and admin tools.

  • product-updates
  • feature-release
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